Methods of diagnosing a plasmodium infection

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure provides in vitro methods of diagnosing a  Plasmodium  infection in a subject. The methods include measuring the serum concentration of at least one secreted phospholipase A 2  selected from the group consisting of GIIF, GV and GX sPLA 2 s, in a blood sample from the subject. The disclosure also relates to a kit for carrying out the disclosed methods and pharmaceutical compositions comprising a recombinant mammalian GIIF, GV or GX sPLA 2 , or a combination thereof.

This application is a national stage application filed under 35 U.S.C. 371 of International Application No. PCT/IB2010/055580, filed Dec. 3, 2010, which claims priority to European Application No. 09290901.9, filed Dec. 3, 2009.

FIELD

The present invention relates to the use of secreted phospholipases A₂ in the diagnosis and treatment of malaria.

BACKGROUND

Human tissues secrete low molecular weight phospholipases A₂ (named “secreted PLA₂s” or “sPLA₂s”; EC 3.1.1.4) which catalyse the hydrolysis of phospholipids at the sn-2 position to release fatty acids (such as arachidonic acid) and lysophospholipids. Lysophospholipids and fatty acids are biologically active as precursors of potent bioactive lipid mediators. Such lipid mediators are important players in inflammation, cancer and neurodegenerative diseases (Kudo and Murakami 2002; Nakanishi and Rosenberg, 2006; Sun et al., 2007). Besides the possible role of human sPLA₂s in lipid mediator production, accumulated evidence indicate that these enzymes are likely to participate in innate immunity, especially in the first line of host defence against bacteria and other pathogens (Lambeau and Gelb, 2008; Nevalainen et al., 2008). Human sPLA₂s share common characteristic features: numerous disulfide bonds, low molecular masses (13-18 kDa), catalytic histidinyl and aspartyl residues, and millimolar concentrations of calcium requirement for optimal catalytic activity. However, the different human sPLA₂ paralogs are not closely related isoforms since the amino acid identity between any two of them is comprised between 15% to 50% Furthermore, the different paralogs have very distinct enzymatic properties (Singer et al., 2002) as well as distinct tissue distribution, regulation of expression and emerging biological functions (Murakami et al., 2010).

The family of human sPLA₂s comprises so far nine catalytically active enzymes and two catalytically inactive sPLA2-like proteins (XIIB and otoconin-95). They have been classified as groups (G) IB (Seilhamer et al., 1986), IIA (Kramer et al., 1989; Seilhamer et al., 1989), IID (Ishizaki et al., 1999), IIE (Suzuki et al., 2000), IIF (Valentin, 2000b), III (Valentin, 2000a), V (Chen et al., 1994), X (Cupillard et al., 1997) and XIIA (Gelb et al; 2000), XIIB (Rouault, M., et al. 2003) and otoconin-95 (see also for reviews Schaloske and Dennis, 2006; Lambeau and Gelb, 2008 and Murakami et al., 2010). The GIB sPLA₂ (pancreatic type sPLA₂) and GIIA sPLA₂ (inflammatory type sPLA₂) were the two first human sPLA₂s identified in the 80's (Verheij et al., 1981 and Kramer et al; 1989). The other members of the human sPLA₂ family were cloned in the late 90's and after (see for review Valentin et al., 2000c and Murakami et al., 2010).

Different enzymatic properties and unique tissue distribution and/or cellular localizations of these sPLA₂s suggest distinct physiological role(s) for each enzyme (see for reviews Lambeau and Gelb, 2008 and Murakami et al., 2010). Some appear to play a role in several inflammatory diseases, such as groups IIA and V (Gilroy et al., 2004; Triggiani et al., 2005) and some exhibit bactericidal properties against Gram-positive and/or Gram-negative bacteria, such as groups IIA, X, V, XII, IIE, IB, IIF (Koduri et al., 2002; Lambeau and Gelb, 2008).

In fact, the different human sPLA₂s exert highly specialized and non redundant functions in different tissues and biological contexts (Murakami et al., 2010). Indeed:

-   -   the different sPLA₂s are expressed in a limited number of         tissues and cells, they can be found at different locations in a         single tissue, and their expression is differentially regulated         according to the disease stages (Murakami et al., 2010); e.g.,         detection of high levels of GIIA sPLA₂ at various inflamed sites         suggests its involvement in pathogenesis of the inflammatory         responses; its concentration in serum and tissues correlates         with disease severity in several immune-mediated inflammatory         pathologies (Kudo and Murakami, 2002; Nevalainen et al., 2008;         Menschikowski et al., 2006);     -   some sPLA₂s have high and specific enzymatic activities toward         certain phospholipids while other sPLA₂s have very low         activities towards many if not all types of phospholipids         (Singer et al., 2002);     -   some few sPLA₂s have the capacity to hydrolyze lipoproteins and         produce lipid mediator release from cellular membranes (Singer         et al., 2002 and Sato et al., 2008);     -   some sPLA₂s, whatever they are highly or poorly enzymatically         active, can bind to different soluble and membrane-bound         proteins (Lambeau et al., 2008);     -   there is emerging evidence indicating that some sPLA₂s exert         different and even opposite roles within the same tissue in         vivo; e.g., both GIIA and GV sPLA₂s are proatherogenic (Bostrom         et al., 2007; Webb et al., 2003; Rosengren et al., 2006 and         Jonsson-Rylander et al., 2008), while GX sPLA₂ appears to be         anti-atherogenic (Ait-Oufella et al., 2009); in addition, GIIA         sPLA₂ is proinflammatory while GV is anti-inflammatory in a         mouse model of rheumatoid arthritis (Boilard et al., 2010);     -   contrary to GIIA sPLA₂, GIID sPLA₂ appears to be         anti-inflammatory in murine models of colitis and multiple         sclerosis (von Allmen et al., 2009).

It appears from the foregoing that human sPLA₂s are currently considered as functionally distinct isoforms with different and sometime opposite biological roles.

In malaria-infected humans, abnormally elevated levels of circulating phospholipase A₂ activity have been observed in severe cases (Vadas et al., 1992 and 1993). In fact, the phospholipase A2 activity observed by Vadas et al. is attributed to the human GIIA sPLA₂, since the murine monoclonal antibodies 9C1 and 4A1 used by Vadas et al. (1992) are specific for the GIIA sPLA₂, and the synovial type group II PLA₂ detected by Vadas et al. (1993) is known as being the human GIIA sPLA₂ (see Nevalainen et al., 2005). Vadas and his colleagues have also disclosed that a recombinant human PLA₂ (in fact GIIA sPLA₂) selectively lyses human erythrocytes parasitizited with P. falciparum and suggested that high level of endogenous circulating PLA₂ (i.e., GIIA sPLA₂) may contribute to hemolysis of parasitized erythrocytes in patients with malaria (Vadas et al., 1992), but they have not provided any data supporting these statements.

Five hundred million clinical cases of malaria are reported each year and mortality estimates range between 0.7 and 2.7 million. The vast majority of cases presents a non-specific febrile illness that is relatively easily terminated, but a minority of cases progresses to severe, life-threatening disease (WHO, Management of Severe Malaria, 2000. A practical handbook, 2^(nd) ed. Geneva: World Health Organisation). It is now currently accepted that severe malaria is an extremely complex multi-process and multi-system disorder. In human, the disease is caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Plasmodium: P. falciparum, P. malariae, P. ovale and P. vivax. The life cycle of these human malaria parasites is essentially the same: first, sporozoites enter the bloodstream, and migrate to the liver. Then, they enter the liver cells (hepatocytes), where they multiply into merozoites, rupture the liver cells, and escape back into the bloodstream. Then, the merozoites enter red blood cells (erythrocytes), where they develop into ring forms, then trophozoites (a feeding form), then schizonts (a reproduction form), and then back into merozoites.

P. falciparum is the major cause of mortality, mostly through two main complications: cerebral malaria and severe anaemia. A central feature of P. falciparum infection is sequestration of mature forms (schizonts) of parasitized erythrocytes within the microvasculature of the major organs of the body, predominantly in brain, heart, lungs and small intestine. The events resulting in the development of cerebral malaria are multi-factorial, encompassing dynamic interactions between at least three processes: sequestration of parasitized erythrocytes in the brain, haemostasis and inflammation (Van der Heyde, 2006).

Diagnosis of malaria involves identification of the malaria parasite or its antigens in the blood of the patient. It can be performed by microscopy methods (e.g., by peripheral smear examination or Quantitative Buffy Coat (QBC) test), by immunoassays for malaria antigens (e.g., using rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs)) or by Polymerase Chain Reaction assays. However, the efficacy of the diagnosis depends on many factors, such as the different forms of the four Plasmodium species, the different stages of erythrocytic schizogony (asexual multiplication in the erythrocytes), the quantitative content of parasites in the blood (parasitemia), the persisting viable or non-viable parasites in the blood and the sequestration of the parasites in the tissues.

To date, there is no rapid and accurate method to assess the risk of developing severe and/or cerebral malaria due to P. falciparum. Only certain clinical symptoms such as hypoglycaemia, severe anaemia or high parasitemia, particularly when they are combined in a patient, can alert on possible complication, sometimes too late.

Many different antimalarial drugs are available to prevent and/or treat malaria, including schizonticides on erythrocytic forms of Plasmodium, such as amino-4-quinolines (e.g., chloroquine), amino-alcohols (e.g., quinine), sesquiterpens (e.g., artemisinin) and antimetabolites, schizonticides on the intra-hepatic forms of Plasmodium and gametocytocides, such as amino-8-quinolines (e.g., primaquine), endo-erythrocytic schizonticides active on endoerythrocytic trophozoites, such as quinine (which remains the standard anti-malarial drug in the management of severe forms of malaria), and combination thereof. However, parasite resistance to some antimalarial drugs is an increasingly serious problem.

Consequently, it appears from the foregoing that there is a need of developing new method of diagnosis of malaria, particularly P. falciparum malaria, and new treatments.

SUMMARY

The inventors have previously shown that group IA, IIA and III sPLA₂s from snake and insect venoms exhibit marked anti-Plasmodium properties in vitro (Deregnaucourt and Schrével, 2000; Guillaume et al., 2004). They have observed that venom sPLA₂s can exert indirect killing of P. falciparum by hydrolysis of serum lipoproteins contained in the parasite culture medium, generating toxic lipids, especially free fatty acids that mediate parasite death (Guillaume et al., 2006). Specifically, bee (Apis mellifera) venom sPLA₂ was demonstrated to act primarily via this indirect mechanism (Guillaume et al., 2006).

Now, the Inventors have investigated the anti-Plasmodium properties of human sPLA₂s. Surprisingly, they have shown in vitro that human GIIA sPLA₂ does not exhibit any inhibitory activity on standard P. falciparum cultures, suggesting that its role in malaria, if any, would not deal with direct elimination of the parasite, but that GIIF, GV and GX sPLA₂s are active against P. falciparum. In the case of GX sPLA₂, the most active sPLA₂ against P. falciparum, the parasiticidal effect results from enzymatic hydrolysis of both exogenous phospholipids from the culture medium and cellular phospholipids from infected erythrocytes. The Inventors have also shown that the anti-Plasmodium enzymatic activity of GX sPLA₂ is potentiated in the presence of the platelet-activating factor (PAF; a potent mediator of platelet aggregation and inflammation; Venable et al., 1993).

Further, the inventors have shown that i) the plasma level of hGIIA, hGIIF and hGV sPLA₂s is significantly increased in patients infected with P. falciparum and ii) a positive correlation between plasma levels of hGIIF and hGV sPLA₂s, and between plasma levels of hGIIA and hGIIF sPLA₂s is found in these patients (see Example 3 below). More specifically, significant increases of hGV and hGIIF sPLA₂s were found in patients with low parasitaemia, but not in patients with higher parasite levels. Further, it appears from the results obtained by the inventors that a specific combined increase of hGIIF and hGV sPLA₂s in plasma of patients with low parasitaemia may contribute to maintain parasitaemia under a deleterious threshold, and may be predictive of a favourable outcome in patients infected with Plasmodium.

The presence of other sPLA₂s besides hGIIA in serum from normal (healthy) subjects or septic shock patients (Nevalainen et al., 2005) has not been reported. Therefore, these results suggest that an increased plasma level of hGIIF and/or hGV sPLA₂s is specifically induced by the malaria parasite.

Based on these results showing a role of human GIIF, GV and GX sPLA₂s in P. falciparum infection and an increased plasma level of hGIIF and hGV sPLA₂s in P. falciparum-infected patients, diagnosing malarial infection can be carried out by specifically measuring the serum concentrations of GIIF, GV and/or GX sPLA₂: an increase in enzymatic activity (or plasma level) of at least one of these sPLA₂s in the serum of a subject indicating the presence of Plasmodium in said subject.

Accordingly, the present invention relates to an in vitro method of diagnosis of a Plasmodium infection, preferably a P. falciparum infection, in a subject, said method comprising the following steps:

a) measuring the serum concentration of at least one secreted phospholipase A₂ (sPLA₂) selected from the group consisting of GIIF, GV and GX sPLA₂, preferably GIIF and GX, or more preferably GIIF and GV sPLA₂s, in said subject, from a blood sample,

b) comparing the serum concentration of GIIF, GV and/or GX sPLA₂s obtained in step a) with the reference serum concentration of GIIF, GV and/or GX sPLA₂s in subjects not infected with Plasmodium (healthy subjects) respectively, wherein a superior serum concentration of GIIF, GV and/or GX sPLA₂s in said blood sample from said subject compared to the reference serum concentration of GIIF, GV and/or GX sPLA₂s in subjects not infected with Plasmodium, is indicative that said subject is infected with Plasmodium.

A “subject” refers to a mammal, preferably a human. Advantageously, said subject has fever.

As used herein, “Plasmodium” refers to a parasite of the genus Plasmodium, preferably P. falciparum, P. malariae, P. ovale and P. vivax, and more preferably P. falciparum.

In a preferred embodiment of said method, in addition to the measurement of the serum concentration of GIIF, GV and/or GX sPLA₂s, the serum concentration of GIIA sPLA₂ is also measured, and compared to the reference serum concentration of GIIA sPLA₂ in subjects not infected with Plasmodium, wherein a superior serum concentration of GIIF, GV and/or GX sPLA₂s, and GIIA sPLA₂ in said blood sample from said subject compared to the reference serum concentration of GIIF, GV and/or GX sPLA₂s, and GIIA sPLA₂ in subjects not infected with Plasmodium is indicative that said subject is infected with Plasmodium.

The measurement of the serum concentration of the GIIA, GIIF, GV and GX sPLA₂s, can be carried out in vitro by measuring the catalytic activity of these four sPLA₂s respectively or by immunoassay. By way of example, the serum concentration can be determined by the ELISA as described in Vadas et al., 1992 and 1993 for GIIA sPLA₂ or by time-resolved fluoroimmonoassays (TR-FIA) as described in Nevalainen et al., 2005 for the GIIA, GIIF, GV and GX sPLA₂s.

In a preferred embodiment, the serum concentration of GIIF and GX, or GIIF and GV, or GV and GX is measured.

In another preferred embodiment, the serum concentration of GIIF, GV and GX is measured.

In another preferred embodiment, the serum concentration of GIIF and/or GV sPLA₂s, preferably GIIF and GV sPLA₂s, and optionally in addition GIIA sPLA₂, is measured. A superior serum concentration of GIIF and/or GV sPLA₂s, and optionally GIIA sPLA₂, in said blood sample from said subject compared respectively to the reference serum concentration of GIIF, GV and/or GIIA sPLA₂s in subjects not infected with Plasmodium, is further indicative that said subject is infected with Plasmodium with low parasitaemia.

As used herein, “low parasitaemia” refers to a parasitaemia inferior to 0.5%, meaning a number of Plasmodium-infected red blood cells inferior to 0.5 per 100 total red blood cells of blood from said subject (Warhurst and Williams, 1996).

To determine the percentage of malaria parasitaemia, malaria parasite-infected red cells are routinely counted against 1,000 erythrocytes from blood smears.

In another preferred embodiment, a superior serum concentration of GIIF and/or GV sPLA₂s, preferably GIIF and GV sPLA₂s, and optionally in addition GIIA sPLA₂, in said blood sample from said subject compared respectively to the reference serum concentration of GIIF, GV and/or GIIA sPLA₂s in subjects not infected with Plasmodium, is further indicative that said subject is in remission (i.e., the parasitaemia is decreasing).

By way of example, said remission can be consecutive to a malaria treatment of said subject.

Usually, the serum concentrations of GIIF, GV and GX sPLA₂s in a healthy human (i.e., not infected with Plasmodium) are below their detection limits when the method TR-FIA is used for the detection, i.e., respectively 4 μg/L, 11 μg/L and 2 μg/L, and the serum concentration of GIIA is <10 μg/L (Nevalainen et al., 2005).

In a preferred embodiment of the method of the present invention carried out in a human, a serum concentration of GIIF sPLA₂ superior to 4 μg/L, and/or a serum concentration of GV sPLA₂ superior to 11 μg/L and/or a serum concentration of GX sPLA₂ superior to 2 μg/L, and optionally in addition a serum concentration of GIIA sPLA₂ superior to 10 μg/L, e.g., measured by immunoassay, preferably by TR-FIA, is indicative that said subject is infected with Plasmodium as defined above.

In another preferred embodiment of the method of the present invention, a serum concentration of GIIF sPLA₂ and/or a serum concentration of GV sPLA₂ and/or a serum concentration of GX sPLA₂ respectively superior to 7, 20 and 4 μg/L and optionally in addition a serum concentration of GIIA sPLA₂ respectively superior to 15 μg/L, and by order of increasing preference, respectively superior to 20 μg/L, respectively superior to 50 μg/L or respectively superior to 100 μg/L, in a human, e.g., measured by immunoassay, preferably by TR-FIA, is indicative that said human is infected with Plasmodium, preferably with P. falciparum, as defined above.

The present invention also relates to a kit for diagnosing a Plasmodium infection, preferably a P. falciparum infection, in a subject, preferably a human, comprising:

-   -   antibodies directed against a mammal GIIF sPLA₂, preferably the         human GIIF sPLA₂, antibodies directed against a mammal GV sPLA₂,         preferably the human GV sPLA₂ and/or antibodies directed against         a mammal GX sPLA₂, preferably the human GX sPLA₂,     -   optionally, antibodies directed against a mammal GIIA sPLA₂,         preferably the human GIIA sPLA₂,     -   at least one positive control, preferably a reference serum or         blood sample from a Plasmodium infected mammal, preferably a P.         falciparum infected mammal, and

at least one negative control, preferably a reference serum or blood sample from a mammal non-infected with Plasmodium, preferably P. falciparum.

In a preferred embodiment of said kit, it comprises antibodies directed against a mammal (e.g., human) GIIF sPLA₂ and antibodies directed against a mammal (e.g., human) GX sPLA₂.

In another preferred embodiment of said kit, it comprises antibodies directed against a mammal (e.g., human) GIIF sPLA₂ and antibodies directed against a mammal (e.g., human) GV sPLA₂.

In another preferred embodiment of said kit, it comprises antibodies directed against a mammal (e.g., human) GIIF sPLA₂ and antibodies directed against a mammal (e.g., human) GIIA sPLA₂.

Antibodies directed against GIIA, GIIF, GV and GX sPLA₂s of a given mammal (e.g., human) may be obtained using methods known to those skilled in the art, including immunizing a non-human mammal, preferably a rabbit, rat or mouse with recombinant GIIA, GIIF, GV and GX sPLA₂s from said given mammal (e.g., human).

The term “recombinant” refers to the use of genetic engineering methods (cloning, amplification) to produce said GIIA, GIIF, GV and GX sPLA₂s. Recombinant mammal GIIA, GIIF, GV and GX sPLA₂s can be prepared using methods known to those skilled in the art. By way of example, recombinant human or mouse GIIA, GIIF, GV and GX sPLA₂s can be prepared as described in Singer et al., 2002.

The invention also relates to the use of an antibody directed against a mammal, preferably human, GIIF sPLA₂, GV sPLA₂ and/or GX sPLA₂, and optionally in addition an antibody directed against a mammal GIIA sPLA₂, for an in vitro diagnostic of an infection with Plasmodium, preferably P. falciparum, in a subject.

The present invention also relates to a recombinant mammal sPLA₂ selected from the group consisting of GIIF, GV and GX sPLA₂s, preferably GIIF and GX sPLA₂s, and most preferably GX sPLA₂, for use for treating or preventing malaria, preferably P. falciparum malaria.

The present invention also relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising at least two recombinant mammal sPLA₂s selected from the group consisting of GIIA, GIIF, GV and GX sPLA₂s, for simultaneous, separate or sequential use in the treatment or prevention of malaria.

The present invention also relates to the use of a recombinant mammal sPLA₂ selected from the group consisting of GIIF, GV and GX sPLA₂s, preferably GIIF and GX sPLA₂s, and most preferably GX sPLA₂, for the preparation of a medicament for treating or preventing malaria, preferably P. falciparum malaria.

In a preferred embodiment of this aspect of the present invention, said mammal is a human or a mouse, preferably a human.

As used herein, the term “treating” refers to the administration of a recombinant mammal GIIA, GIIF, GV and/or GX sPLA₂s, to a patient who has malaria or a symptom of malaria, preferably P. falciparum malaria, with the purpose to cure, heal, alleviate, relieve, alter, remedy, ameliorate, improve, or affect the disease or the symptoms of said disease.

As used herein, the term “preventing” refers to the reduction or the inhibition of a risk of malaria, preferably P. falciparum malaria, in a subject not suffering from malaria, or that the onset of the malaria is delayed or eliminated, in a subject having been exposed to (i.e., in contact with) a Plasmodium.

The present invention also provides a method of treating or preventing malaria, preferably P. falciparum malaria, in a subject, comprising administering a recombinant mammal GIIF, GV and/or GX sPLA₂s as defined above to said subject in need thereof.

To improve the efficacy of said sPLA₂s, these sPLA₂s can be combined to PAF (platelet-activating factor).

The present invention also relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising the platelet-activating factor (PAF) and at least one recombinant mammal phospholipase A2 selected from the group consisting of GIIA, GIIF, GV and GX sPLA₂s, preferably GX sPLA₂.

The pharmaceutical composition as defined above can also comprise a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

As used herein, the expression “pharmaceutically acceptable carrier” refers to any and all solvents, adjuvant, excipient, dispersion media, coatings, antibacterial and antifungal agents, isotonic and absorption delaying agents, and the like, compatible with pharmaceutical administration. Suitable carriers are described in the most recent edition of Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, a standard reference text in the field. The use of such media and agents for pharmaceutically active substances is well known in the art.

The present invention also relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising the platelet-activating factor (PAF) and at least one recombinant mammal phospholipase A2 selected from the group consisting of GIIA, GIIF, GV and GX sPLA₂s, for simultaneous, separate or sequential use in the treatment or prevention of malaria, preferably P. falciparum malaria.

The present invention also relates to the use of a recombinant mammal GIIF, GV or GX sPLA₂, preferably from human origin, to screen, in vitro or in non-human mammals, for compounds (e.g., drugs) that inhibit or reduce the development of Plasmodium, preferably P. falciparum.

By way of example, it can involve contacting a candidate compound with a red blood cell or serum and then determining any modulatory (inhibition or reduction) effect on the development of Plasmodium resulting from said candidate compound compared to said recombinant mammal GIIF, GV or GX sPLA₂s.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In addition to the preceding features, the invention further comprises other features which will emerge from the following description, which refers to examples illustrating the present invention, as well as to the appended figures:

FIG. 1 shows the enzymatic hydrolysis of human plasma by GX sPLA₂. Crude human plasma was incubated with 3 nM of recombinant human GX sPLA₂ (⋄), 15 nM of the full length (▪) or truncated (□) recombinant human GIIF sPLA₂, and 15 pM of the bee venom sPLA₂ (♦), for 48 h at 37° C. Aliquots were taken at times 0 h, 6 h, 22 h, 30 h and 48 h of incubation. NEFAs in each aliquot were measured using the NEFA-C kit (WAKO);

FIG. 2 shows the anti-Plasmodium toxicity of oxidized lipoproteins. Purified lipoproteins in native state or after air-light oxidation were assayed for anti-Plasmodium toxicity. An asynchronous culture of chloroquine-resistant P. falciparum FcB1/Colombian strain (1% parasitaemia, 2% haematocrit) was grown in the presence of decreasing concentrations of each lipoprotein preparation. Parasite growth was assessed by [³H]-hypoxanthine incorporation into nucleic acids. Native CM/VLDL (⋄), oxidized CM/VLDL (♦); native LDL (◯), oxidized LDL (●); native HDL (□), oxidized HDL (▪);

FIG. 3 shows the lipoprotein hydrolysis by GX and GIIF sPLA₂s, compared with venom sPLA₂s. CM/VLDL, LDL and HDL were purified from human plasma and used either fresh (F) or after minimal oxidization by air and light (Ox). After phospholipid content determination, plasma, LDL and HDL were adjusted to 1.6 mg PL/mL final concentration in PBS calcium. Because low amount was available, the CM/VLDL fraction was adjusted to 1.0 mg PL/mL. Each sample was incubated for 15 hours at 37° C., alone or in the presence of recombinant human GX sPLA₂ (hGX PLA₂; 25 nM), recombinant human GIIF sPLA₂ (hGIIF PLA₂; 125 nM), bee venom sPLA₂ (bvPLA₂; 0.18 nM) and Naja mossambica mossambica venom sPLA₂ (Naja PLA₂; 0.05 nM). NEFAs were quantified using the NEFA-C kit (WAKO). Values are the mean±SD of triplicate measurements. They were normalized by subtracting NEFA amount in the absence of enzyme. Two independent experiments with lipoproteins from different plasmas were performed, which gave similar qualitative results. Results from one experiment are shown;

FIG. 4A shows the LY329722 inhibition of the anti-Plasmodium effect of GX sPLA₂. A schizont-enriched culture was grown for 24 h in the presence of 50 nM recombinant human GX sPLA₂ (hGX) or 50 nM human GX sPLA₂ plus 37.5 μM LY329722 (hGX+LY); controls were LY329722 alone (LY) and normal culture conditions (control). Parasitaemia (%) at t 0 h and t 24 h were determined from Diff Quick-stained smears. Y axis states increase of parasitaemia (A parasitaemia (%)), expressed as parasitaemia at t 24 h-parasitaemia at t 0 h;

FIG. 4B shows the parasite blood stages' sensitivity to human GX sPLA₂. A parasite culture was synchronised on a 4 h window. Parasites aged 0-4 h post-invasion (p.i.) (rings, R), 18-22 h p.i. (trophozoites, T), and 34-38 h p.i. (schizonts, S) were incubated for 15 h in culture conditions with (▪) or without (□) 100 nM recombinant GX sPLA₂. Afterwards cells were washed and let grow in normal culture conditions until re-invasion. GX sPLA₂ inhibitory activity on the complete parasite cycle was assessed by incubating 0-4 h p.i. parasites for 48 h with GX sPLA₂ (cycle). Parasitaemia in each sample was determined from Diff Quick-stained smears. For each stage, 100% parasitaemia was established from parasite growth in the absence of enzyme;

FIG. 5 shows the stage-dependent membranolytic activity of human GX sPLA₂. A semi-synchronous culture of P. falciparum (2.5% parasitaemia) was analysed for sensitivity to GX sPLA₂ at early and late development stages. Parasitaemia and stage distribution were determined from Diff-Quick-stained smears. Early stages were processed at t 0 h and late stages were processed 24 h later (t 24 h). Cultures were washed and cells were re-suspended at 50% haematocrit in RPMI 0.05% BSA, and then distributed into wells of a 96-well microplate in the presence or absence of respectively 30.0 nM of GX sPLA₂ and 0.2 nM of bee venom sPLA₂. Non-infected erythrocytes and human serum were processed similarly, after all samples had been adjusted for same phosphatidylcholine (PC) content. The microplate was incubated in a candle jar for 5 hours at 37° C. Plasma and cell supernatants were reserved and ghosts were prepared from erythrocytes. NEFAs in each sample were measured in triplicate using the NEFA-C kit (WAKO). A. Stage distribution (% of parasitaemia) at time 0 h and 24 h. Rings: dotted bar; Trophozoites: striped bar. Schizonts: black bar. B. Membranolytic activities of recombinant human GX sPLA₂ (hGX) and bee venom sPLA₂ (bvPLA₂) on plasma (white bar), non-infected erythrocytes (dotted bar), erythrocytes from young parasite-enriched (striped bar) and mature parasite-enriched (black bar) culture. NEFA concentration in cell samples is the sum of NEFAs from paired supernatants and ghosts. Values were normalized by subtracting NEFAs from control without enzyme. Values are the mean±SD of triplicate determination;

FIG. 6 shows the comparative analysis of the membranolytic activity of human GX sPLA₂ on a P. falciparum culture grown in serum or in Albumax II®. Parasites were grown in medium containing either 8% human serum (iRBC/S) or 0.5% Albumax II® (iRBC/A). Cultures were semi-synchronized so that they contain mainly mature parasites at the time of the experiment. Both cultures (2.5-3% parasitaemia) were then washed and cells were re-suspended at 50% haematocrit in RPMI 0.05% BSA with or without 50 nM of recombinant GX sPLA₂, and incubated for 6 h in culture conditions. Non-infected RBCs (red blood cells) and human serum were processed similarly. Cell supernatants and serum were frozen at −20° C.; erythrocyte ghosts were prepared and frozen. NEFAs in each sample were measured in duplicate upon thawing, using the NEFA-C kit (WAKO). NEFA amount in healthy RBCs (RBC) and in infected cultures (iRBC) is expressed as the sum of NEFAs from paired ghosts and supernatants. Values are the mean of the duplicate measurement, subtracted for values in the absence of enzyme. The experiment was repeated twice and gave similar qualitative results. Results from one experiment are shown;

FIG. 7 shows the PAF-induced potentiation of the human GX sPLA₂ anti-P. falciparum effect. The effects of serial concentrations of PAF (platelet-activating factor) on the susceptibility of the P. falciparum FcB1 strain to GX sPLA₂ were assessed in vitro. A P. falciparum culture (1% parasitaemia, 2% haematocrit) was incubated in a 96-well microplate with decreasing concentrations of the recombinant GX sPLA₂ in the presence of a fixed, sub-inhibitory concentration of PAF. The response modification index (RMI) as a function of PAF concentration is represented. RMI is the ratio of the 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC₅₀) for GX sPLA₂ plus the concentration of PAF, and GX sPLA₂ alone. An RMI of 1.0 represents no change in the IC₅₀ for GX sPLA₂ when combined with PAF. The RMI values<1.0 represent the degree of potentiation or synergism.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Example 1 Evaluation of Anti-Plasmodium Activities of the Human sPLA₂s

1) Materials and Methods

1.1) Materials

Purified recombinant human sPLA₂s were prepared as described in Singer et al. (2002). The accession number in the GenBank database of the mRNA encoding the different sPLA₂s are given below:

GenBank accession Recombinant human sPLA2 groups: number or Reference: IB gi|38016927 IIA gi|239915981 IID gi|21314652 IIE gi|7657460 IIF (full length) gi|145553988 IIFΔC (IIF lacking the C-terminal Singer et al., 2002 23-amino acid extension) III gi|142976883 V gi|113722111 X gi|4505844 XIIA gi|195539345 XIIB gi|45505134

Apis mellifera (bee) venom sPLA₂ , Naja mossambica mossambica venom sPLA₂ and high quality grade biochemical reagents used throughout this work were purchased from Sigma (St Quentin Fallavier, France). Plasmion was from Fresenius Kabi France (Sèvres, France). Albumax II® was from Invitrogen (Cergy Pontoise, France).

NEFA-C kit and Phospholipids B kit used for quantitative determination of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFAs) and phospholipids (PLs) respectively were from WAKO Chemicals GmbH (Neuss, Germany). 3H-hypoxanthine (37 MBq/mL) was from GE Healthcare (France). Diff-Quick® stain was purchased from Medion Diagnostics GmbH (Düdingen, Switzerland). LY329722 (sodium [3-aminooxalyl-1-benzyl-2-ethyl-6-methyl-1H-indol-4-yloxy]-acetic acid) (Smart et al., 2006).

1.2) Methods

1.2.1) Culture and Synchronization of P. falciparum

The chloroquine-resistant P. falciparum FcB1/Colombian strain was used. Under the following culture conditions, the in vitro life cycle of the FcB1 strain was 48 hours. Cultures were grown in complete medium consisting of RPMI 1640 (Life Technologies, Inc.) supplemented with 11 mM glucose, 27.5 mM NaHCO3, 100 UI/mL penicillin, 100 μg/mL streptomycin, adjusted to pH 7.4 before addition of heat-inactivated human serum (A+ blood group, 8% final) or Albumax II® (0.5% final), according to the procedure of Trager and Jensen (1976). Parasites were routinely grown at 37° C. in human A+ RBCs (Red blood cells) at a 2% haematocrit and 2-6% parasitemia, in a 3% CO2, 6% O2 and 91% N2 atmosphere. Semi-synchronized cultures were established by Sorbitol (Lambros) treatment. Highly synchronized cultures (4 hour-window synchronization) were obtained by successive Plamion (Pasvol) and Sorbitol treatments. Parasitaemia and stage distribution were determined by optical examination of Diff-Quick stained culture smears. Parasitaemia (expressed in percent) is hundred times the number of parasitized erythrocytes divided by the total number of erythrocytes.

1.2.2) Enzymatic Activity Assay on E. coli Membranes

Recombinant sPLA₂s were routinely checked for enzymatic activity through hydrolysis of autoclaved ³H-oleic acid-labelled E. coli (Franson et al., 1974).

1.2.3) Anti-Plasmodium Activity Assay (Dose-Response Assay)

Dried preparations of the purified recombinant human sPLA₂s were re-suspended at high concentration (usually 50 μM) in RPMI 0.05% BSA, and then tested individually for their capacity to inhibit the in vitro intra-erythrocytic development of P. falciparum. Dose-response assays based on ³H-hypoxanthine incorporation by growing parasites were performed as in Guillaume et al. (2004). Radioactivity was measured with a 1450 Microbeta counter (Wallac, Perkin Elmer). Percentage of growth inhibition was calculated from the parasite-associated radioactivity compared with control without sPLA₂. Values for the IC₅₀ were determined from dose-response curves.

1.2.4) Purification and Minimal Oxidation of the Lipoprotein fractions

Purification, oxidation and enzymatic hydrolysis procedures were performed under sterile conditions. Non-fasted human plasma was aliquoted and frozen at −20° C. just after blood drawing. Three weeks before enzymatic hydrolysis experiment, one aliquot of plasma was thawed for purification of CM (chylomicrons)/VLDL (very low-density lipoprotein), LDL (low-density lipoprotein) and HDL (high-density lipoprotein) fractions by differential centrifugation, according to the procedure described in Havel et al. (1955). The lipoprotein fractions were extensively dialyzed at 4° C. against phosphate-buffered saline (PBS: 0.15 M NaCl, 10 mM sodium phosphate buffer, pH 7.2).

To prepare minimally oxidized lipoproteins, air/light oxidation was induced by storage of the fractions in a transparent flask at ambient temperature and under sterile air exchange for 18-20 days.

Native lipoproteins were prepared from another aliquot of the plasma just prior to the hydrolysis assay. When necessary, the lipoprotein fractions were stored at 4° C. under N₂ atmosphere and in the dark after addition of 50 μg/mL gentamycin.

Phosphatidylcholine (PC) content of each lipoprotein fraction was measured by the use of the Phospholipid B dosage kit (WAKO Chemicals), following manufacturer's instructions.

1.2.5) Evaluation of the Oxidized Lipoproteins Anti-Plasmodium Toxicity

Decreasing concentrations of each native and oxidized lipoprotein fraction were tested following procedure of the dose-response assay as described above. Positive control for the parasite growth was without lipoprotein.

1.2.6) Plasma and Lipoprotein Lipolysis by sPLA₂s

a) Specific Activities of sPLA₂s on Plasma:

Kinetic analysis of human plasma hydrolysis by sPLA₂s was performed by mixing on ice 50 μL of crude plasma with recombinant sPLA₂s at various final concentrations (respectively 2×, 5× and 10× the IC₅₀ value). At time zero, the mixture was transferred to 37° C. Samples (7 μL) were taken after 5, 15, 30 and 60 minutes of incubation and quickly frozen at −20° C. An aliquot of plasma without enzyme was similarly processed. Concentration of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFAs) in each sample was measured by a discontinuous enzymatic method using the NEFA-C test kit from WAKO, following manufacturer's instructions. The amount of NEFAs in each enzyme-containing plasma sample was subtracted for NEFAs in enzyme-free plasma sample. Specific activity for each of the sPLA₂s was determined from the linear part of the curve [NEFA]=f(t). Experiment was repeated three times with plasmas from different donors and different batches of sPLA₂s.

b) 48 h-Hydrolysis of Plasma

Crude human plasma was incubated with 3 nM of recombinant human GX sPLA₂, 15 nM of the full length or the truncated form (IIFΔC) of recombinant human GIIF sPLA₂, and 15 pM of the bee venom sPLA₂, for 48 h at 37° C. Aliquots (7 μL) were taken at times 0 h, 6 h, 22 h, 30 h and 48 h of incubation. NEFAs were measured in each aliquot by using the NEFA-C kit (WAKO). Experiment was repeated twice with different plasmas.

c) Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Purified Lipoproteins

Plasma and purified LDL and HDL were adjusted to 1.67 mg phospholipid (PL)/mL final concentration in PBS. Because purification yielded low amount of CM/VLDL, the CM/VLDL fraction was adjusted to 1.00 mg PL/mL. CaCl₂ (1 mM final) was added to the lipoprotein fractions. 200 μL of each fraction were deposited in a 96-well plate and incubated for 15 hours at 37° C., alone or in the presence of recombinant human GX sPLA₂ (hGX PLA₂, 25.0 nM), recombinant human GIIF sPLA₂ (hGIIF PLA₂, 125.0 nM), bee venom sPLA₂ (bvPLA₂, 0.18 nM) and Naja mossambica mossambica venom sPLA₂ (Naja PLA₂, 0.05 nM). NEFAs were measured in triplicate using the NEFA-C kit (WAKO). Value from each fraction was normalized by subtracting the NEFA amount in the corresponding fraction without enzyme. Two independent experiments with lipoproteins from different plasmas were performed, which gave similar qualitative results. According to the experiment, maximum hydrolysis reached 50% or 65% of total PLs in the fraction.

1.2.7) Involvement of Enzymatic Activity in GX sPLA2-Induced Inhibition of Parasite Growth

A schizont-enriched culture of P. falciparum was grown for 24 h in the presence of 50 nM recombinant human GX sPLA₂, or 50 nM GX sPLA₂ plus 37.5 μM LY329722, a potent inhibitor of the GX sPLA₂ enzymatic activity (75 nM IC₅₀, Smart et al., 2006); controls in normal culture conditions and in the presence of LY329722 alone (LY) were processed in parallel. Parasitaemia (%) before incubation, and after 24 h of incubation, was determined from Diff Quick-stained smears. Parasite growth was expressed as the percent delta of parasitaemia, using the following formula:

ΔP=[(P_(x)−P₀)/(P₁₀₀−P₀)]×100; where ΔP is in percent, P₀ is the parasitaemia (%) in the initial culture, P₁₀₀ is the parasitaemia (%) after 24 h in normal culture conditions, and P_(x) is the parasitaemia (%) after 24 h in experimental conditions.

1.2.8) Sensitivity of the P. falciparum Blood Stages to GX sPLA₂

A parasite culture was synchronised on a 4 h-window. Parasites aged 0-4 h post-invasion (rings), 18-22 h post-invasion (trophozoites), and 34-38 h post-invasion (schizonts) were adjusted to 1% parasitaemia and 2% haematocrit in complete medium, and were then incubated in a 96-well plate in a candle jar at 37° C., with or without 100 nM of recombinant GX sPLA2. After 15 hours, cells were centrifuged at 900×g for 2 min, washed in RPMI and re-suspended at a 2% haematocrit in fresh complete medium for further growth. When re-invasion had occurred (P. falciparum invades new RBCs when its 48 hour-development cycle is completed), parasitaemia (%) in each well was determined from Diff Quick-stained smears. GX sPLA₂ inhibitory activity on the complete parasite cycle was assessed by incubating rings with the recombinant enzyme for 48 hours.

1.2.9) GX sPLA₂ Lipolysis of Infected Red Blood Cells

a) Determination of Phosphatidylcholine (PC) Content in Erythrocytes and Plasma

100 μL it of packed non-infected RBCs (1.1×10⁹ RBCs) were washed in PBS at room temperature, then lysed in 10 volumes of iced 5P8 buffer (5 mM sodium phosphate, ph 8.0) and centrifuged at ×14.000 g for 15 minutes at 4° C. Pelleted ghosts were washed several times in iced 5P8 to fully remove haemoglobin, and re-suspended in 5P8 to the initial RBC volume (100 μL). Phospholipids (PC) in ghosts were measured by using the phospholipids B kit from WAKO, following manufacturer's instructions. PC content was also measured in crude plasma. From at least four independent measurements (erythrocytes and plasma from different donors), PC content was estimated at 1.45 g/L (volume of packed erythrocytes) in RBCs and 2.20 g/L in plasma.

b) Enzymatic Treatment of Infected RBCs

i) Hydrolysis of Young and Mature Stages:

A parasite culture was enriched in young parasite stages (rings+early trophozoites) by sorbitol treatment. Parasitaemia (2.5-3%) and stage distribution were determined from Diff-Quick staining of culture smears. One half of the culture was processed immediately as described below. The other half was maintained in normal culture conditions for a further 24 hour-period for the parasite to reach the schizont stage, and then the culture was processed similarly. Erythrocytes were centrifuged for 2 minutes at ×900 g. One volume (100 μL) of packed erythrocytes was washed in RPMI and re-suspended in 1 vol. of RPMI BSA 0.05%. 50 μL of the suspension were distributed into 3 wells of a 96-well microplate. Non-infected erythrocytes which had been maintained in culture conditions for 24 h prior to the experiment were processed similarly. 25 μL volumes of plasma diluted ×4.4 in RPMI were also distributed into wells. A maximum 2 μL volume of recombinant GX sPLA₂ and bee venom sPLA₂ in PBS BSA 0.02% were added to respectively 30 nM and 0.2 nM final concentrations. Control wells for endogenous generation of NEFAs were without enzyme. The microplate was incubated in a candle jar for 5 hours at 37° C. Plasma samples and cell supernatants were taken and frozen at −20° C. Ghosts were prepared from pelleted erythrocytes and frozen at −20° C. Samples were thawed on ice just prior to triplicate measurement of NEFAs using the NEFA-C kit from WAKO. NEFAs in erythrocyte samples are expressed as the sum of NEFAs from ghosts and corresponding supernatant.

ii) Hydrolysis of Serum-Derived and Albumax II® Derived Parasite Cultures:

Parasites were grown for several cycles in culture medium supplemented either with 8% human serum or with 0.5% Albumax II®. Cultures were semi-synchronized by Sorbitol treatment 2-3 days prior to the experiment. When they contained mainly mature parasites and had reached 2.5-3% parasitaemia, cells from both cultures were washed in RPMI, re-suspended in RPMI 0.05% BSA at a 50% haematocrit, and distributed in wells of a 96-well microplate in the presence or absence of 50 nM of recombinant GX sPLA2. The microplate was incubated at 37° C. for 6 h in a candle jar. Incubations of non-infected RBCs and serum were performed in parallel as respectively negative and positive controls of the GX sPLA₂ activity. Supernatants were taken and ghosts were prepared from cells. NEFAs were measured using the NEFA-C kit (WAKO). Values for healthy RBCs (RBC) and infected cultures (iRBC) are the sum of NEFAs from paired ghosts and supernatants.

1.2.10) Evaluation of the In Vitro Chemosensitizing Activity of Platelet-Activating Factor (PAF)

Quantitative analysis of the increased activity of recombinant hGX sPLA₂ when combined with PAF was done by comparing concentration-response curves for hGX sPLA₂ alone and in the presence of several fixed, sub-inhibitory concentrations of PAF. Effects of each fixed concentration of PAF on the response of the parasites (IC₅₀) to hGX sPLA₂ were expressed as the response modification index (RMI) (Oduola et al., 1998). The RMI was calculated by the following formula: RMI=IC₅₀(A,B)/IC₅₀(A), where drug A is hGX sPLA₂ and B is PAF. An RMI of 1.0 represents no change in the IC₅₀ for the recombinant hGX sPLA₂ combined with PAF. The RMI values<1.0 represent chemosensitization (including possible synergy). Sub-inhibitory concentrations of PAF in the assay were: 25 μM, 37.5 μM and 50 μM.

2) Results

2.1) Anti-Plasmodium Activities of Human sPLA₂s

Recombinant human sPLA₂s from groups IB, IIA, IID, IIE, IIF, III, V, X, XIIA and XIIB were assayed for inhibition of the P. falciparum development in vitro. Results are shown in Table I below.

Table I:

Anti-P. falciparum activities of human sPLA₂s. IC₅₀ values are the mean of independent dose-response assays using human red blood cells and serum from different donors for the P. falciparum culture. At least two assays were performed with the GIB, GIIA, GIID, GIIE, GIII, GXIIA and GXIIB non-toxic sPLA₂s. IC₅₀ values for GX and GIIF sPLA₂s are the mean of four independent determinations.

sPLA2 group IB IIA IID IIE IIF IIFΔC III V X XIIA XIIB IC₅₀ ± SD >1250 >1250 >250 >250 14.3 ± 10.4 >250 ±250 162.5 ± 90.9 2.9 ± 2.4 >250 >250 (nM)

Group-X and -IIF enzymes were found inhibitory, with IC₅₀ values of 2.9±2.4 nM and 14.3±10.4 nM, respectively. Group-V sPLA₂ exhibited a low inhibitory activity, with IC₅₀ values of 162.5±90.9. Remarkably, the inflammatory sPLA₂, i.e. GIIA sPLA₂, whose level has been shown to increase in the plasma of malaria patients, was clearly inactive against the parasite.

Group-IIF sPLA₂ is structurally unique among sPLA₂s, in that it has an unusually long, proline-rich C-terminal extension (Valentin et al., 2000b). This extension mediates the GIIF sPLA₂ binding to mammalian cells (Wijewickrama et al., 2006). By contrast to the full length form, the C-terminus truncated form of GIIF sPLA₂ (GIIFΔC), although catalytically active (Singer et al., 2002), did not inhibit Plasmodium, suggesting that the attachment of truncated GIIF sPLA₂ to the erythrocyte membrane and/or lipoprotein surface might be impaired, leading to a drop in toxicity.

2.2) Human sPLA₂s' Activities on Serum Components

2.2.1) Anti-Plasmodium Activities of Human sPLA₂s are Lowered in the Absence of Serum

The toxicity of venom sPLA₂s toward P. falciparum has been attributed mainly to enzymatic hydrolysis of serum phospholipids because those sPLA₂s are largely inefficient at killing P. falciparum in the presence of Albumax II®, a phospholipid-poor serum substitute (Guillaume et al., 2004). Anti-Plasmodium activities of GX and GIIF sPLA₂s were thus assayed in Albumax II® to assess for their requirement in exogenous PLs. IC₅₀ values of both enzymes were found to increase in Albumax II®. Group-X sPLA₂ IC₅₀ value exhibited variable increase according to the experiment, ranging from 25-fold to 150-fold its value in serum. GIIF sPLA₂ IC₅₀ value was increased by approximately 17.5-fold. Therefore, toxicities of both GX and GIIF sPLA₂s appeared to be lowered in the presence of Albumax II®, suggesting that their mechanisms of action rely to some extent on the presence of extra-cellular PLs.

2.2.2) Enzymatic Activity on Human Plasma

Hydrolysis of serum by human sPLA₂s has been reported for GV and GIIA sPLA₂s: the GV sPLA₂ was found active, the GIIA sPLA₂ was found inactive (Rosengren et al., 2006). The specific activities of GX, GIIF and GV sPLA₂s on whole human plasma was determined by measuring NEFAs released upon incubation with different enzyme concentrations and incubation times. Activities of the bee (Apis mellifera) and Naja mossambica mossambica venom sPLA₂s (respectively bvPLA₂ and Naja PLA₂) were measured for comparison. Results are shown in Table II.

Table II:

Specific activities of sPLA₂s on human plasma. Hydrolysis of plasma phospholipids by human and venom sPLA₂s was assayed using different incubation times and enzymes concentrations. Hydrolysis was assessed by measuring the amount of NEFAs in samples using the colorimetric assay developed by WAKO (NEFA-C kit). Enzymatic production of NEFAs was corrected for endogenous production of NEFAs measured in the absence of sPLA2. Specific activity for each of the sPLA₂s was determined from the linear part of the kinetic curve. Values are the mean of three independent experiments. SD: standard deviation. Anti-P. falciparum activities (IC₅₀) of the respective sPLA₂s are given for comparison.

sPLA2 hGX hGIIF hGV bvPLA2 Naja PLA2 Specific 8.23 ± 0.92 0.92 ± 0.30 0.33 ± 0.09 515.36 ± 72.52 674.68 ± 77.51 activity ± SD (μmol NEFA/min × mg enzyme) IC₅₀ (nM) 2.9 ± 2.4 14.3 ± 13.4 162.5 ± 90.9  0.015 ± 0.009  0.003 ± 0.002

Human enzymes exhibited lower activities on plasma than venom enzymes. Among the human sPLA₂s, GX sPLA₂ was 9-times and 30-times more active than GIIF and GV sPLA₂s, respectively. In line with what has been reported in serum, high concentration (1 μM) of GIIA sPLA₂ was inefficient at hydrolysing plasma (not shown). Of note, sPLA₂s' activities in plasma are in line with their toxic properties against P. falciparum, indicated by their IC₅₀ values.

NEFAs released from plasma by IC₅₀ concentrations of GX, GIIF and bee venom sPLA₂s were measured on a time scale relevant to the dose-response assay, i.e. 48 h. Three independent experiments with plasmas from different donors were performed that gave similar qualitative results. Results from one experiment are presented in FIG. 1. Each sPLA₂ at its IC₅₀ concentration hydrolysed plasma at constant rate for at least 20 h, with GX sPLA₂ being the most active. This indicated that in the presence of the human sPLA₂s, the parasite is potentially submitted to continuous release of NEFAs and lysophospholipids, most probably at the origin of toxicity, as proven in the case of the bee venom enzyme. The non toxic, truncated form of GIIF sPLA₂ was largely inefficient at hydrolysing plasma, reinforcing the idea that hydrolysis of PLs is involved in the anti-Plasmodium activity of native GIIF sPLA2.

2.2.3) Lipoprotein Hydrolysis by GX and GIIF sPLA₂s

GIIA, GIIF, GV and GX sPLA₂s are known to readily hydrolyse purified LDL and HDL in their native state (Ishimoto, et al, 2003; Pruzanski et al., 2005, Sato et al., 2008), although GIIA sPLA₂ was found less efficient than the other sPLA₂s (Gesquiere et al., 2002). Malaria patients exhibit elevated oxidation of lipoproteins as compared to normal subjects (Sibmooh et al., 2004), and it is known that such modifications can modulate the susceptibility of lipoproteins to sPLA₂s (Eckey et al., 1997; Pruzanski et al., 1998). The ability of recombinant GX and GIIF sPLA₂s to hydrolyse oxidized lipoproteins in vitro was then analysed.

Prior to the experiment, because it was also previously reported (Guillaume et al., 2006) that CM/VLDL oxidized by prolonged exposure to air and light (minimally oxidized lipoproteins) are inhibitory to the development of P. falciparum in vitro, it was analysed whether similarly oxidized LDL and HDL would be toxic as well.

Results are shown in FIG. 2. It can be seen that all three classes of lipoproteins are inhibitory when oxidized, with respective IC₅₀ values of 85 μg PL/mL (CM/VLDL), 200 μg PL/mL (LDL), and 300 μg/PL/mL (HDL). Noticeably, parasite growth was enhanced in the presence of native HDL, confirming the nutrient properties of this particular lipoprotein (Grellier et al., 1990).

Assuming that PC is the major phospholipid in either class of lipoproteins, enzymatic hydrolysis of lipoproteins was performed at a given enzyme-to-PC ratio after PC measurement in lipoproteins. The bee and Naja venom sPLA₂s were assayed in parallel to the human enzymes. Each sPLA₂ was used at approximately 10×IC₅₀. Experiment was performed twice with lipoproteins from different donors and gave similar qualitative results.

Results from one experiment in triplicate are shown in FIG. 3:

the group-X enzyme hydrolysed lipoproteins in the preferential order HDL>LDL>CM/VLDL;

group-IIF sPLA₂ hydrolysed lipoproteins in the same preferential order than GX sPLA₂, but, unlike GX sPLA₂, it hydrolysed poorly the triglyceride-rich lipoproteins (CM/VLDL);

contrasting with the human sPLA₂s, the bee and Naja enzymes hydrolysed lipoproteins in the following preferential order: LDL>HDL>CM/VLDL.

except in the case of the triglyceride (TG)-rich lipoproteins, substantial amount of NEFAs was generated by either enzyme from the oxidized lipoproteins. However, it was noticed that the amount was smaller than that generated from the lipoproteins in their native state.

2.3) Properties of the Anti-Plasmodium hGX sPLA₂

2.3.1) The Catalytic Activity of GX sPLA₂ is Involved in the Anti-Plasmodium Mechanism

Inhibition of parasite growth was removed in the presence of LY329722, a potent inhibitor of the recombinant GX sPLA₂ (Smart et al., 2006) (FIG. 4A), establishing the prevalence of enzymatic activity in the anti-Plasmodium activity of GX sPLA2. In accordance with this, high concentrations of the catalytically inactive H48Q mutant of GX sPLA₂ inhibited poorly the P. falciparum development (30% inhibition at 1.25 μM). Insofar as the H48Q mutant exhibits unaffected interfacial binding capacities, this confirmed that phospholipid hydrolysis is essential to the GX sPLA₂ toxic mechanism.

2.3.2) All Blood Stages of P. falciparum are Sensitive to GX sPLA₂.

As it can be seen in FIG. 4B, a 15 h-treatment with recombinant GX sPLA₂ is inhibitory to either of the parasite stages Inhibition was largely irreversible. Among the GX sPLA2-treated stages, only rings succeeded into a 25% re-invasion, whereas less than 10% trophozoites and schizonts completed the cycle.

2.3.3) GX sPLA₂ Exhibits Membranolytic Activity Against Infected Erythrocytes.

It is well known that alteration of the host erythrocyte membrane occurs during parasite intracellular maturation (Maguire et al., 1991). Those Plasmodium-induced changes can modulate the membranolytic activity of sPLA₂s (Moll et al., 1990).

The membranolytic activity of the recombinant GX sPLA₂ on RBCs infected by either young (ring/young trophozoite) or mature (late trophozoite/schizont) parasites was analysed. Because it was previously shown that bee venom sPLA₂ does not interact with the infected erythrocytes (Guillaume et al., 2006), this enzyme was used as a negative control of erythrocyte PL hydrolysis. Parasite cultures were incubated with GX sPLA₂ in the absence of serum for 5 h and NEFA production was measured thereafter. Values were normalized according to non-specific release of NEFAs in the absence of enzyme.

Group-X sPLA₂ induced the release of NEFAs from the parasite culture with predominance for the schizont stages (FIGS. 5, A and B). Release increased with the parasite maturation. Healthy erythrocytes were left intact. As expected, and contrasting with the human enzyme, the bee venom sPLA₂ hydrolysed poorly the erythrocytes, either infected or not.

2.3.4. The Anti-Plasmodium Effect of GX sPLA₂ is Mediated Mainly by Hydrolysis of Exogenous PLs.

It was found that GX sPLA₂ does not efficiently inhibit Plasmodium growth in Albumax II®, regarding its capacity to hydrolyse infected erythrocytes in culture (see Example 2.2.1). To check for possible inhibition of the enzyme by Albumax II®, hydrolysis of E. coli membranes was carried out in the presence of Albumax II®. Hydrolysis occurred at the same rate in Albumax II® and in control without Albumax® (not shown), indicating that Albumax II® does not prevent the GX sPLA₂ enzymatic activity. It was further examined whether culture in the absence of serum might induce modifications of the erythrocyte membrane that would in turn prevent its hydrolysis by GX sPLA₂. The membranolytic activity of GX sPLA₂ on a schizont-enriched parasite culture maintained in Albumax II® was analysed. As illustrated in FIG. 6, NEFAs were released at the same rate from the Albumax II®-derived culture and the serum-derived parasite culture, demonstrating that erythrocytes maintained in Albumax II® do not undergo GX sPLA2-inhibiting membrane modifications. Taken together, these results indicate that neither enzyme inhibition nor erythrocyte membrane alteration can explain the Albumax II®-induced drop in toxicity.

2.4) Evaluating the In Vitro Chemosensitizing Properties of PAF on the Anti-Plasmodium Activity of GX sPLA2.

The acetylated phospholipid platelet-activating factor (PAF) is a potent pro-inflammatory mediator exhibiting multiple physiological and pathological actions. It is produced by various inflammatory cells and by endothelial cells. The actions of PAF are abolished by hydrolysis of the acetyl residue, a reaction catalysed by PAF acetylhydrolase (PAF-AH), an atypical sPLA₂ associated to plasma lipoproteins. It was shown that recombinant GX sPLA₂ efficiently hydrolyses PAF (Gora et al; 2006), and it has been proposed that the enzyme be involved in the neutralization of the newly synthesized PAF during LDL oxidation, thereby eliminating its biological activity.

The effects of PAF on the GX sPLA₂ anti-Plasmodium activity were evaluated. It was first examined whether PAF and/or its degradation products (lyso-PAF and acetate) might affect the Plasmodium intra-erythrocytic development. PAF was found to exhibit high IC₅₀ value (82.0±1.2 μM) in standard culture conditions. In conditions where the serum PAF-AH was inhibited by Pefabloc, the PAF IC₅₀ value did not vary (95.0±2.8 μM), making improbable that PAF or products of PAF generated in normal plasmatic conditions might have any effect on the parasite development.

The effects of PAF on the anti-Plasmodium activity of GX sPLA₂ were assessed by GX sPLA₂ and PAF interaction studies, in which fixed sub-inhibitory concentrations of PAF were combined with pre-serially diluted GX sPLA₂. Concentration-response curves for GX sPLA₂ alone and in the presence of PAF were compared. The data were expressed as the response modification index (RMI) (as in Oduola et al., 1998). RMI values were found <1 (FIG. 7), indicating that PAF potentiates the activity of GX sPLA₂ against Plasmodium.

Example 2 Diagnosis of a Plasmodium Infection in a Patient Using a Time-Resolved Fluoroimmunoassay (TR-FIA)

A blood sample from a patient having a non-specific febrile illness is analysed for determining the serum concentration of GIIF, GV and GX sPLA₂s by TR-FIA.

The TR-FIA for human GIIF, GV and GX sPLA₂s is used as described in Nevalainen et al., 2005. Anti-GIIF, GV and GX sPLA₂ IgG isolated from a rabbit are obtained and then labelled. Recombinant human GIIF, GV and GX sPLA₂s are used as standards in the TR-FIA.

A serum concentration of the GIIF, GV and/or GX sPLA₂s respectively superior to 4, 11 and 2 μg/L is indicative that said patient is infected with Plasmodium.

Example 3 Identification and Quantification of Individual sPLA₂ Isoforms Including hGIIA, hGIIF, hGV, and hGX in the Plasma of Malaria Patients, sPLA₂ Isoform Profiling and Relationship with Parasitaemia and Disease Activity

1) Methods

1.1) sPLA₂ Activity Assay

sPLA₂ enzymatic activity was measured using radiolabeled E. coli membranes as substrate, as described in Rouault et al., 2007. Briefly, 2 to 3 μL of plasma were incubated for 30 min in 60 μL of sPLA₂ activity buffer (0.1 M Tris pH 8.0, 10 mM CaCl2 and 0.1% BSA) containing 100,000 dpm of [3H]-oleate-radiolabeled E. coli membranes. Reactions were stopped by addition of 80 μL of stop buffer (0.1 M EDTA pH 8.0 and 0.5% fatty acid-free BSA). Mixtures were centrifuged at 10,000 g for 5 min, and supernatants containing released [3H]oleate were counted in a Wallac Perkin-Elmer microbeta counter.

1.2) Time-Resolved Fluoroimmunoassays (TR-FIA)

TR-FIA was performed as described in Nevalainen et al., 2005. Briefly, 3 to 5 μL of plasma were diluted in 100 μL of Delfia assay buffer (Perkin Elmer Wallac) and added to GIIA, GIIF, GV and GX sPLA₂s IgG-coated microtiter wells previously washed with TR-FIA washing solution (TBS pH 7.8, 0.04% NaN3, 0.02% Tween 20). After incubation at room temperature with constant shaking for 30 minutes, wells were washed 4 times with TR-FIA washing solution, incubated with 100 μL of Eu-labeled human sPLA₂ IgG tracer (0.5 μg/mL diluted in Delfia Assay buffer) and washed again 4 times as above. Then 100 μL of Delfia enhancement solution was added to wells, incubated at room temperature for 5 min with shaking and thereafter for 10 min without shaking. Time-resolved fluorescence was measured using a Wallac Envision Perkin Elmer plate reader and optimized optical modules for DELFIA assays.

1.3) Statistical Analysis

Statistical analysis was performed using the GraphPad InStat 3 software.

2) Results

Plasma from patients infected with Plasmodium falciparum (n=26, parasitaemia ranging from 0.01% to 4.0%) were analyzed for total sPLA₂ activity on E. coli membranes and for the presence of individual sPLA₂ isoforms including hGIIA, hGIIF, hGV and hGX by TR-FIA. Analysis of 15 plasmas from non infected subjects (control group) was performed in parallel.

Enzymatic activity on E. coli membranes was higher in plasma from infected patients than the control group (P=0.0284, using Mann-Whitney test, two-tail P value). However, the level of enzymatic activity was not predictive of parasitaemia or disease activity.

TR-FIA analysis of hGIIA sPLA₂ showed a significant elevation of the enzyme mass level in plasma of patients with either low (<0.5%) or high parasitaemia (>0.5%) (P=0.0148 and P=0.0170, respectively, using Mann-Whitney test, two-tail P value). The level of hGIIA sPLA₂ mass is therefore not predictive of parasitaemia or disease activity. The level of hGIIA sPLA₂ mass measured by TR-FIA was clearly associated with the level of total enzymatic activity (Spearman r=0.6327, P<0.0001).

Independent of these measurements, significant increases of hGV and hGIIF sPLA₂s were found in patients with low parasitaemia (P=0.0285 and P=0.0113, respectively, using Mann-Whitney test, two-tail P value), but not in patients with higher parasite levels, as compared to the control group.

No increase in hGX was seen in either group. This is probably because of the small cohort of patients in the present study.

Interestingly, correlation studies between plasma concentrations of the different sPLA₂s showed a very strong correlation between the respective levels of hGV and hGIIF sPLA₂s (Spearman r=0.5412, P=0.0003) and a slight but significant correlation between levels of hGIIA and hGIIF sPLA₂s (Spearman r=0.3889, P=0.0120). No correlation was found between the levels of hGIIA and hGV sPLA₂s.

3) Comments

The above results indicate that the specific quantification of individual sPLA₂ isoforms in the plasma of malaria patients can provide an independent set of data and/or a combined set of data (sPLA₂ isoform profiling) which is associated with the level of parasitaemia. Defining a sPLA₂ isoform profile may thus be useful for diagnosis of disease activity, therapeutic follow-up or prediction of patient's outcome.

Three sPLA₂ isoforms, namely hGIIA, hGIIF and hGV were found to be significantly increased in patients infected by P. falciparum.

No sPLA₂s other than hGIIA have been reported to be present in the plasma from normal subjects or septic shock patients (Nevalainen et al., 2005). Although preliminary, the above results indicate that the levels of hGIIF and hGV sPLA₂s are specifically increased after infection with the malaria parasite, and thus that these individual sPLA₂ isoforms may constitute novel biomarkers of disease activity, especially in patients with low parasitaemia.

The correlation observed between the plasma levels of hGIIF and hGV sPLA₂s as well as that observed between hGIIA and hGIIF sPLA₂s suggest that the combined measurement of sPLA₂ isoforms (sPLA₂ isoform profiling) represents a highly specific biomarker of malaria disease activity. For instance, it can be speculated that a specific combined increase of hGIIF and hGV sPLA₂s enzymes in plasma of patients with low parasitaemia may contribute to maintain parasitaemia under a deleterious threshold, and may be predictive of patient's outcome. Similarly, the correlation between the levels of hGIIA and hGIIF sPLA₂s may be predictive of disease activity.

Consequently, it appears from these results, that the specific assays of sPLA₂ isoforms and/or the combined measurement of certain individual sPLA₂ isoforms including hGIIA, hGIIF, hGV and hGX sPLA₂s is predictive of disease activity and clinical outcome.

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The invention claimed is:
 1. An in vitro method of diagnosis of a Plasmodium infection in a subject, comprising the following steps: a) measuring a serum concentration of at least one secreted phospholipase A2 (sPLA2) selected from the group consisting of GIIF, GV and GX sPLA2s, in a blood sample from said subject, b) comparing the serum concentration of GIIF, GV and/or GX sPLA2s obtained in step a) with a reference serum concentration of GIIF, GV and/or GX sPLA2s in subjects not infected with Plasmodium respectively, wherein an increased serum concentration of GIIF, GV and/or GX sPLA2s in said blood sample from said subject compared to the reference serum concentration of GIIF, GV and/or GX sPLA2s in subjects not infected with Plasmodium is indicative that said subject is infected with Plasmodium.
 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein in addition to the measurement of the serum concentration of GIIF, GV and/or GX sPLA2s, a serum concentration of GIIA sPLA2 is also measured, wherein an increased serum concentration of GIIF, GV and/or GX sPLA2s, and GIIA sPLA2 in said blood sample from said subject compared to the reference serum concentration of GIIF, GV and/or GX sPLA2s, and GIIA sPLA2 in subjects not infected with Plasmodium is indicative that said subject is infected with Plasmodium.
 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein said subject is a human, and wherein said increased serum concentration of GIIF, GV and/or GX sPLA2s in said blood sample, is respectively greater than 4, 11 and 2 μg/L, and said increased serum concentration of GIIA in said blood sample is greater than 10 μg/L, measured with an appropriate immunoassay.
 4. The method according to claim 2, wherein the measurement of the serum concentration of the GIIA, GIIF, GV and/or GX sPLA2s is carried out in vitro by measuring the catalytic activity of said sPLA2s or by immunoassay.
 5. The method according to claim 2, wherein the serum concentration of GIIF and/or GV sPLA2s, and in addition GIIA sPLA2, is measured, and wherein an increased serum concentration of GIIF and/or GV sPLA2s, and GIIA sPLA2, in said blood sample from said subject compared respectively to the reference serum concentration of GIIF and/or GV and GIIA sPLA2s in subjects not infected with Plasmodium, is further indicative that said subject is infected with Plasmodium with low parasitaemia.
 6. The method according to claim 2, wherein said increased serum concentration of GIIF and/or GV sPLA2s, and GIIA sPLA2, in said blood sample from said subject is further indicative that said subject is in remission.
 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the measurement of the serum concentration of the GIIF, GV and/or GX sPLA2s is carried out in vitro by measuring the catalytic activity of said sPLA2s or by immunoassay.
 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein said subject is a human, and wherein said increased serum concentration of GIIF, GV and/or GX sPLA2s in said blood sample, is respectively greater than 4, 11 and 2 μg/L measured with an appropriate immunoassay.
 9. The method according to claim 8, wherein said increased serum concentration of GIIF, GV and/or GX sPLA2s in said blood sample, is respectively greater than 8, 20 and 4 g/L measured with an appropriate immunoassay.
 10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the Plasmodium infection is a P. falciparum infection.
 11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the serum concentration of GIIF and OX sPLA2s, or GIIF, GV and GX sPLA2s is measured.
 12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the serum concentration of GIIF and/or GV sPLA2s is measured, and wherein an increased serum concentration of GIIF and/or GV sPLA2s in said blood sample from said subject compared respectively to the reference serum concentration of GIIF and/or GV sPLA2s in subjects not infected with Plasmodium, is further indicative that said subject is infected with Plasmodium with low parasitaemia.
 13. The method according to claim 1, wherein said increased serum concentration of GIIF and/or GV sPLA2s in said blood sample from said subject is further indicative that said subject is in remission. 